Method of donning a prosthetic limb

ABSTRACT

An elevated vacuum locking system for prosthetic limb. An exemplary embodiment may include a plunger pin mounted to a flexible liner and including a through passage between a location proximate the exterior of the liner and a distal end of the plunger pin; a locking mechanism mounted within the distal end of a socket; a manifold mounted to the exterior of the distal end of the socket and including a cavity adapted to receive the distal end of the plunger pin when the patient&#39;s residual limb and the liner are installed into the socket, the manifold including a through passage connecting an interior of the cavity to an exterior fitting; and a vacuum pump operative to withdraw air from the interior of the socket via the through passage of the plunger pin, the cavity, and the through passage of the manifold.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/481,015,filed Jun. 9, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,927,377, issued Apr. 19, 2011,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/131,457filed Jun. 9, 2008, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is directed to systems for releasably coupling aprosthetic device to the residual limb of an amputee. More specifically,the present disclosure is directed to devices utilizing integratedvacuum and mechanical coupling to provide improved retention and comfortfor a prosthetic device including a socket.

SUMMARY

An exemplary elevated vacuum locking system for prosthetic limb mayinclude a plunger pin mounted to a flexible liner and including athrough passage between a location proximate the exterior of the linerand a distal end of the plunger pin; a locking mechanism mounted withinthe distal end of a socket; a manifold mounted to the exterior of thedistal end of the socket and including a cavity adapted to receive thedistal end of the plunger pin when the patient's residual limb and theliner are installed into the socket, the manifold including a throughpassage connecting an interior of the cavity to an exterior fitting; anda vacuum pump operative to withdraw air from the interior of the socketvia the through passage of the plunger pin, the cavity, and the throughpassage of the manifold.

In an aspect, a prosthetic limb assembly may include a flexible linershaped to accept a portion of a patient's residual limb, the flexibleliner including an interior and an exterior; a plunger pin mounted to adistal end of the flexible liner, the plunger pin including at least onethrough passage providing fluidic communication between a locationproximate the exterior of the liner and a distal end of the plunger pin;a socket shaped to receive the liner and the patient's residual limb,the socket including a socket interior, a proximal opening for receivingthe residual limb, and a distal end including a through hole; a lockingmechanism mounted within the distal end of the socket and including acentral opening sized to receive the plunger pin, the locking mechanismreleasably engaging the plunger pin when the residual limb and the linerare inserted into the socket; a manifold mounted to the exterior of thedistal end of the socket, the manifold including a cavity aligned withthe through hole in the distal end of the socket, the cavity beingadapted to receive the distal end of the plunger pin when the patient'sresidual limb and the liner are installed into the socket, and themanifold including a through passage fluidicly connecting an interior ofthe cavity to a fitting mounted on an exterior of the manifold; and avacuum pump operatively connected to the fitting such that the vacuumpump is operative to withdraw air from the interior of the socket viathe through passage of the plunger pin, the cavity, and the throughpassage of the manifold.

In a detailed embodiment, a prosthetic limb assembly may include acushion mounted on a proximal surface of the locking mechanism, thecushion including an aperture aligned with the central opening of thelocking mechanism and the cushion sealingly engaging the interior of thesocket.

In a detailed embodiment, the plunger pin may include a ratchet portionbetween the liner and the distal end of the plunger pin. In a detailedembodiment, the plunger pin may include a flange interposing the linerand the ratchet portion. In a detailed embodiment, the plunger pinthrough passage may include a lateral through passage within the flangefluidicly connected to a longitudinal through passage extending from thelateral through passage to the distal end of the plunger pin. In adetailed embodiment, the plunger pin may include a gasket interposingthe flange and the locking mechanism when the residual limb and theliner are installed in the socket, the gasket providing a sealedconnection between the flange and the locking mechanism.

In a detailed embodiment, the cushion may include at least one flexiblerim circumferentially surrounding the cushion, the at least one rimsealingly engaging an inner surface of the socket. In a detailedembodiment, the manifold may include a substantially planar portionmounted to the distal end of the socket and a distally extendingprojection, the cavity extending from a proximal end of the planarportion and into the projection. In a detailed embodiment, a prostheticlimb assembly may include at least one fastener extending through themanifold, through the socket wall, and into the locking mechanism.

In a detailed embodiment, the manifold may include an integral pyramidcoupling. In a detailed embodiment, the pyramid coupling may beadjustable relative to the socket in at least one of anterior-posteriorand medial-lateral directions. In a detailed embodiment, an angularorientation of the pyramid coupling may be rotatably adjustable relativeto the socket.

In a detailed embodiment, the manifold may include an integral pyramidreceiver. In a detailed embodiment, the pyramid receiver may beadjustable relative to the socket in at least one of anterior-posteriorand medial-lateral directions. In a detailed embodiment, an angularorientation of the pyramid receiver may be rotatably adjustable relativeto the socket.

In a detailed embodiment, a prosthetic limb assembly may include agasket interposing the manifold and the distal end of the socket. In adetailed embodiment, a prosthetic limb assembly may include a gasketinterposing the distal surface of the locking mechanism and the insidedistal surface of the socket. In a detailed embodiment, a prostheticlimb assembly may include a gasket interposing the plunger pin and themanifold.

In an aspect, a plunger pin for a prosthetic limb may include agenerally cylindrical body having proximal and distal ends; a linerengagement portion adjacent to the proximal end; a locking mechanismengagement portion distal from the proximal end; a flange interposingthe liner engagement portion and the locking mechanism engagementportion, the flange extending radially beyond the cylindrical body; anaxial through passage extending within the cylindrical body from thedistal end to proximate the flange; and at least one radial throughpassage extending from an edge of the flange to the axial throughpassage; where the axial through passage and the at least one radialthrough passage are fluidicly connected within the generally cylindricalbody.

In a detailed embodiment, the liner engagement portion may includethreads sized to engage corresponding threads on a distal end of aflexible liner sized and shaped to accept a patient's residual limb.

In a detailed embodiment, the locking mechanism engagement portion mayinclude a plurality of circumferential protrusions and recesses. In adetailed embodiment, at least one of the circumferential protrusions andrecesses may be tapered.

In a detailed embodiment, a plunger pin may include a gasket surroundingthe cylindrical body and adjacent to a distal surface of the flange. Ina detailed embodiment, the lateral through passage may include aplurality of lateral through passages fluidicly connected to thelongitudinal through passage.

In an aspect, a manifold for a prosthetic limb may include a generallyplanar body having a first side, a second side, and a plurality ofedges; a projection extending generally perpendicularly from the secondside of the flat body; a cavity having an opening on the first side ofthe planar body, the cavity extending within the projection; and apassage fluidicly connecting the cavity to one of the plurality of edgesof the flat body.

In a detailed embodiment, a manifold may include a fitting for couplingto a length of tubing, the fitting being located on the second side ofthe flat body, where the fitting is fluidicly connected to the passage.In a detailed embodiment, a manifold may include a fitting located onthe one of the plurality of edges proximate the passage.

In a detailed embodiment, a manifold may include a first annular grooveadjacent to and coaxial with the first surface and the cavity. In adetailed embodiment, a manifold may include a second groove on the firstsurface, the groove circumscribing the cavity and the first groove. In adetailed embodiment, a manifold may include at least one through holeextending from the first surface to the second surface. In a detailedembodiment, a manifold may include a gasket seated within at least oneof the first groove and the second groove.

In a detailed embodiment, the projection may include a pyramid coupling.In a detailed embodiment, the projection may include a pyramid receiver.

In an aspect, a method of donning a prosthetic limb may includeproviding a prosthetic limb having a socket sized and shaped to receivea patient's residual limb, the socket including a locking mechanismincluding a central opening mounted in a distal end of an interior ofthe socket; providing a flexible liner, the flexible liner including adistally-mounted plunger pin extending therefrom, the plunger pinincluding a longitudinal through passage extending from a distal end ofthe plunger pin to proximate the flexible liner; providing a vacuum pumpfluidicly coupled to a manifold mounted to a distal exterior surface ofthe socket, the manifold including a cavity aligned with the centralopening of the locking mechanism; providing a sealing sleeve proximate aproximal end of the socket; inserting the patient's residual limb intothe flexible liner; inserting the patient's residual limb and theflexible liner into the socket such that the plunger pin enters acentral opening in the locking mechanism and the locking mechanismreleasably engages the plunger pin; placing the sealing sleeve to createa sealed connection between the flexible liner and the proximal end ofthe socket; and operating the vacuum pump to withdraw air from withinthe socket via the longitudinal through passage.

In a detailed embodiment, the plunger pin may include a radiallyextending flange located proximate the liner, the flange including alateral through passage fluidicly connected to the longitudinal throughpassage; and the step of operating the pump may include withdrawing airfrom within the socket via the lateral through passage and thelongitudinal through passage. In a detailed embodiment, the plunger pinmay include a first gasket adjacent to a distal surface of the flange;and the step of inserting the patient's residual limb and the flexibleliner into the socket may include engaging the first gasket with aproximal surface of the locking mechanism. In a detailed embodiment, thecavity may include a second gasket; and the step of inserting thepatient's residual limb and the flexible liner into the socket mayinclude engaging the plunger pin and the second gasket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description refers to the following figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary elevated vacuum lockingsystem;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary plunger pin;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of an exemplary plunger pin;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an exemplary plunger pin;

FIG. 5 is a top view of an exemplary plunger pin;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary manifold;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an exemplary manifold;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary manifold;

FIG. 9 is an elevation view of an exemplary manifold;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an exemplary cushion;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of an exemplary cushion;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative exemplary manifold;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of an alternative exemplary manifold;and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternative exemplary manifold, allin accordance with at least some aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1, an exemplary elevated vacuum locking system 10 mayinclude a socket 20 for receiving a portion of an amputee's residuallimb 2, a locking mechanism 30 for releasably engaging a plunger pin 40extending from a flexible liner 50 which interposes residual limb 2 andthe socket 20, a manifold 60, a vacuum device 70, and/or a sealingsleeve 99. In an exemplary embodiment, socket 20 may be constructed froma rigid polymer, flexible liner 50 may be formed from a flexiblesilicone compound, and/or plunger pin 40 and manifold 60 may beconstructed from metal, for example.

An exemplary liner 50 may include a fabric shell, such as nylon/cottonsheath/sock that may provide a wicking action to assist in removing airfrom the socket when the vacuum source is applied. The wick may beprovided by a cloth covering on the liner and/or a sock that that may beput on over a liner with no cover, for example. If vacuum is appliedwithout this wick, the liner may seal to the inside surface of thesocket and a large portion of air may remain proximal to this sealingpoint. Using the wick may aid in evacuation of substantially all of theair from the interior of the socket and/or may aid in ensuring that aseal occurs between the sealing sleeve and the portion of the linerproximal to the socket trim line.

FIGS. 2-5 depict an exemplary plunger pin 40, which may include aratchet portion 42 including one or more grooves 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D, 42Earranged circumferentially for releasably engaging the locking mechanism30. The grooves 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D, 42E may include tapered portions toallow the ratchet portion 42 of the plunger pin 40 to slide relative toa spring-loaded latch in one direction while preventing movementrelative to the latch in the opposite direction. In an exemplaryembodiment, insertion of the ratchet portion 42 into the lockingmechanism 30 may produce one or more audible “clicks,” which mayindicate positive engagement of the locking mechanism 30 and the plungerpin 40.

Plunger pin 40 may include a threaded end 44 for engaging the flexibleliner 50. For example, the threaded end 44 may engage a threaded bossformed within the distal end of flexible liner 50. It is within thescope of the disclosure to utilize other methods of coupling plunger pin40 to liner 50.

A flange 46 may interpose ratchet portion 42 and threaded end 44. Asshown in FIG. 1, flange 46 may be located generally between the lockingmechanism 30 and liner 50 when liner 50 is inserted into socket 20.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, flange 46 may include a radial passage 48,which may extend generally radially through the flange 46 and which mayinclude a corresponding opening on the diametrically opposite side offlange 46. It is within the scope of the disclosure to incorporate anynumber of radial passages 48 within the flange 46. Passage 48 may beinternally interconnected (in fluid communication) with axial passage49, which may extend from a distal end 47 of the plunger pin 40 andthrough the ratchet portion 42.

Exemplary embodiments of the plunger pin 40 may include a gasket 41(such as an o-ring or a flat washer) which may be seated on an annularsurface 45 adjacent to flange 46. Gasket 41 may facilitate a sealbetween the plunger pin 40 and the locking device 30 as described ingreater detail below.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the patient's residual limb 2 and the flexibleliner 50 are inserted into the socket 20, the plunger pin 40 may extendthrough a central hole 33 in the locking device 30, through an opening29 in the distal end of the socket 20, and into manifold 60 (manifold 60is depicted in FIGS. 6-9).

Locking device 30, which may include a central hole 33 for receiving theplunger pin 40, may include a lock 31 (such as a shuttle lock sold byProsthetic Design, Inc. of Clayton, Ohio). The locking device 30 mayalso include a cushion 32 interposing the liner 50 and the lock 31. Asdepicted in FIGS. 10-11, cushion 32 may include an aperture 36 (whichmay be aligned with central hole 33) for receiving the plunger pin 40 aswell as one or more guide grooves 34. One or more rims 38, 39 maycircumscribe the cushion 32 and may provide a sealing fit between thecushion 32 and the interior of the socket 20. A sealing fit between thecushion 32 and the interior of the socket 20 may be facilitated by atight engagement of the cushion 32 within the interior of the socket 20,with or without rims 38, 39. The cushion 32 may be constructed from aresilient material, such as urethane.

As depicted in FIGS. 6-9, manifold 60 may include a generally planarportion 61 including one or more mounting holes 62 extending therein forreceiving a fastener. Manifold 60 may include a hole 65 sized to receivethe distal end of the plunger pin 40. The hole 65 may extend at leastpartially within a projection 63 extending distally from the planarportion 61 of manifold 60. The planar portion 61 may include a passage64 extending therethrough, which may extend from a location near theperimeter of the planar portion to the hole 65. Passage 64 may befluidicly connected to a fitting 80 for coupling with a vacuum device70.

In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6-9, passage 64 may extendoutwardly beyond fitting 80. Ball 82 (a ball bearing, for example) maybe fitted within the portion of passage 64 exterior to fitting 80 toseal the outward end of passage 64. Accordingly, any air flowing to orfrom cavity 65 via passage 64 may flow through fitting 80. It is withinthe scope of the disclosure to utilize other methods of sealing theexterior end of passage 64, such as a threaded plug and/or a plugretained by an adhesive, for example.

FIG. 14 depicts an alternative exemplary embodiment manifold 160 whichmay include a hole 165 for receiving the plunger pin 40, mounting holes162, and a planar portion 161 similar to those described with referenceto manifold 60. In this exemplary embodiment, fitting 180 may be locatedgenerally in line with passage 164, thus obviating the need to seal anexterior end of passage 64.

Referring back to FIGS. 6-9, a gasket 85 (such as an o-ring or flatwasher) may be provided to seal the interface between the hole 65 andthe plunger pin 40. In the exemplary manifold 60 shown in FIGS. 6-9,gasket 85 may be mounted within an annular groove 86 on planar portion61 of manifold 60 and coaxial with the hold 65. Gasket 85 extendsradially inward into hole 65 and engages plunger pin 40 when thepatient's residual limb 2 and liner 50 are inserted into the socket 20.In particular, gasket 85 may engage surface 90 of plunger pin 40.

A gasket 87 (such as an o-ring or flat washer) may be provided to sealthe interface between the exterior distal surface of the socket 20 andthe manifold 60. In the exemplary manifold 60 shown in FIGS. 6-9, gasket87 may be mounted within an annular groove 88 on the proximal surface ofplanar portion 61 of manifold 60. It is within the scope of thedisclosure to provide a similar groove on the distal exterior socket 20in addition to or in place of groove 88. In addition, exemplaryembodiments may include a gasket on the distal surface of the lockingmechanism 30 and this gasket may be located within a groove on thelocking mechanism 30 and/or the interior of the socket 20.

Vacuum device 70 may comprise any device capable of withdrawing air fromwithin the socket 20. For example, vacuum device 70 may comprise abattery-powered, electrically operated pump. Vacuum device 70 may bemounted on the prosthesis or elsewhere (such as on the patient's body)and may include a mechanism for monitoring and maintaining a desiredlevel of vacuum within the socket. For example, vacuum device 70 may bemounted on an upright assembly of a prosthesis. In an exemplaryembodiment, vacuum device 70 may be set to maintain vacuum within thesocket at, for example, 20-24 in Hg. The vacuum device 70 may befluidicly connected to fitting 80 on manifold 60 by, for example,flexible tubing and appropriate fittings. It is within the scope of thedisclosure to utilize other vacuum devices, such as a hand-operatedvacuum pump.

It is within the scope of the disclosure to incorporate a coupling intothe manifold adapted to couple to other prosthetic limb components (suchas knee components, shin components, and the like). For example, asshown in FIG. 12, an exemplary manifold 70 may include a pyramid 73 forattaching additional components of a prosthesis. Manifold 70 may includea planar portion 71, mounting holes 72, a passage 74, and a hole 75 forreceiving the plunger pin, as well as other features generally similarto the corresponding components of manifold 60. A manifold 70 includinga pyramid 73 may allow construction of a prosthesis having a smalleroverall height than an embodiment having separate manifold and pyramidcomponents. The pyramid 73 may incorporate any known features ofpyramids (such as an adjustable lateral position and/or a rotatablyadjustable orientation). See, for example, the pyramids sold byProsthetic Design, Inc. of Clayton, Ohio.

FIG. 13 depicts another exemplary manifold 170 which may include apyramid receiver 173 for attaching additional components of aprosthesis, such as a prosthetic lower leg and foot assembly. Similar tomanifold 70 shown in FIG. 12, manifold 170 may include a planar portion171, mounting holes 172, a passage 174, and a hole 175 for receiving aplunger pin, as well as other features generally similar to thecorresponding components of manifold 60. A manifold 170 including apyramid receiver may allow construction of a prosthesis having a smalleroverall height than an embodiment include separate manifold and pyramidcomponents. The pyramid 173 may incorporate any known features ofpyramid receivers (such as an adjustable lateral position and/or arotatably adjustable orientation). See, for example, the pyramidreceivers sold by Prosthetic Design, Inc. of Clayton, Ohio. It is withinthe scope of the disclosure to incorporate any known coupling into themanifold and to use the coupling to attach components of the prostheticdevice, for example.

Exemplary embodiments may be utilized as follows. The amputee may donthe flexible liner 50 over her residual limb 2. She may insert theresidual limb 2 into the socket 20, allowing the plunger pin 40 to enterthe locking mechanism 30. Air displaced by the insertion of the residuallimb 2 into the socket 20 may be vented via any gaps present between theliner 50 and the proximal end of the socket 20. Once residual limb 2 isfully inserted into socket 20, flange 46 of plunger pin 40 may compressgasket 41 against a proximal surface of the locking mechanism 30. Theamputee may roll a sealing sleeve 99 such that it seals the proximalopening of the socket 20 to the liner 50.

With the residual limb 2 and liner 50 fully inserted into the socket, asealed volume is created between the exterior surface of the liner 50and the interior surface 20 of the socket. The proximal end of socket 20is sealed to liner 50 using, for example, a sealing sleeve 99. Thedistal end of socket 20 is sealed to the perimeter of cushion 32.Cushion 32 is sealed to locking mechanism 30, which is sealingly engagedwith plunger pin 40 by gasket 41. Thus, passages 48, 49 through plungerpin 40 provide the only path for fluidic communication with the sealedvolume. In addition, the sealing engagement of gasket 85 with shoulder90 of plunger pin 40 creates a sealed connection between the sealedvolume within the socket and fitting 80. Accordingly, a vacuum appliedat fitting 80 draws air from within the sealed volume.

In addition, as discussed above, gasket 87 provides a seal between theexterior distal surface of socket 20 and manifold 60. One or moregaskets or seals may be provided on the latching pin of the lockingmechanism 30 to prevent air leakage into central opening 33 of lockingmechanism 30 via the internal components of locking mechanism 30. Otherlocking devices may be sealed in a similar manner using appropriategaskets or seals. Accordingly, if one or both of gaskets 41, 85 fails,if plunger pin 40 is not fully inserted into locking mechanism 30, or ifplunger pin 40 is absent, a sealed connection between the interior ofsocket 20 and fitting 80 is provided. Specifically, the proximal end ofsocket 20 is sealed to liner 50 using sealing sleeve 99, the outercircumference of cushion 32 is sealed to the interior of socket 20,cushion 32 is sealed to locking mechanism 30, the latching pin of thelocking mechanism 30 is sealed using a gasket, a gasket 100 may providea seal between the distal surface of the locking mechanism 30 and theinterior of the socket 20, and manifold 60 is sealed to the exteriordistal end of the socket 20 using gasket 87.

The amputee may operate the vacuum device 70 to withdraw air from withinthe socket 20. Air within the socket 20 may be withdrawn throughpassages 48, 49 of the plunger pin 40, hole 65, and passage 64.

To remove the prosthesis, the amputee may turn off the vacuum device 70.The amputee may roll the sealing sleeve 99, thereby providing an airinlet path into the socket 20 via the proximal end of the socket 20. Theamputee may withdraw her residual limb 2 from the socket 20 by releasingthe locking mechanism 30 (such as by depressing or withdrawing a pinwhich disengages a latch from the ratchet portion 42 of the plunger pin40).

An exemplary vacuum device 70 may be adapted to maintain a desiredvacuum level within the socket 20, thereby retaining the residual limb 2within the socket 20. For example, the vacuum device may include one ormore pressure sensors and a control circuit that selectively energizesan electrically driven vacuum pump to maintain the desired vacuum levelwithin the socket. This vacuum retention capability may provideadvantages known in the art, such as improved comfort and prevention ofexcessive fluid loss from the residual limb 2.

In the event of a failure of the vacuum device 70 or leakage of air intothe socket 20 (or any other cause of loss of vacuum within the socket),the plunger pin 40 and locking mechanism 30 may retain the residual limb2 within the socket 20. This mechanical backup capability may provideimproved safety and reliability, as well as peace of mind for theamputee.

While exemplary embodiments have been set forth above for the purpose ofdisclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments as well as otherembodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly,it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the aboveprecise embodiments and that changes may be made without departing fromthe scope. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary tomeet any or all of the stated advantages or objects disclosed herein tofall within the scope of the disclosure, since inherent and/orunforeseen advantages may exist even though they may not have beenexplicitly discussed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of donning a prosthetic limb comprising:providing a prosthetic limb having a socket sized and shaped to receivea patient's residual limb, the socket including a locking mechanismincluding a central opening mounted in a distal end of an interior ofthe socket; providing a flexible liner, the flexible liner including adistally-mounted plunger pin extending therefrom, the plunger pinincluding a longitudinal through passage extending from a distal end ofthe plunger pin to proximate the flexible liner; providing a vacuum pumpfluidicly coupled to a manifold mounted to a distal exterior surface ofthe socket, the manifold including a cavity aligned with the centralopening of the locking mechanism; providing a sealing sleeve proximate aproximal end of the socket; inserting the patient's residual limb intothe flexible liner; inserting the patient's residual limb and theflexible liner into the socket such that the plunger pin enters acentral opening in the locking mechanism and the locking mechanismreleasably engages the plunger pin; placing the sealing sleeve to createa sealed connection between the flexible liner and the proximal end ofthe socket; operating the vacuum pump to withdraw air from within thesocket via the longitudinal through passage; and wherein the plunger pinincludes a radially extending flange located proximate the liner, theflange including a lateral through passage fluidicly connected to thelongitudinal through passage; and wherein the step of operating the pumpincludes withdrawing air from within the socket via the lateral throughpassage and the longitudinal through passage.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the plunger pin includes a first gasket adjacent to a distalsurface of the flange; and wherein the step of inserting the patient'sresidual limb and the flexible liner into the socket includes engagingthe first gasket with a proximal surface of the locking mechanism. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the cavity includes a second gasket; andwherein the step of inserting the patient's residual limb and theflexible liner into the socket includes engaging the plunger pin and thesecond gasket.